The number of ads for children’s drinks on youth websites increased by 15% from 2010 to 2013.

Twitter followers for sugary drinks and energy drinks increased 11 million in 2014, 11 times what they were in 2011, & Facebook likes for sugary drinks and energy drinks were over 300 million, triple what they were in 2011.

A typical 8-ounce children’s drink contains 60 calories and 16 grams of sugar – more sugar than recommended for most children to consume in an entire day.

About FACTS

The original Sugary Drink FACTS report done in 2012 provided a comprehensive analysis of the nutrition of sugary drinks and how they are marketed to young people, including on TV, the internet, and product packaging.

Since then, local communities have launched public health campaigns to increase awareness of the negative health effects of sugary drinks and reduce their availability in public settings. Major beverage manufacturers have also pledged to develop and promote healthier beverages through industry-led initiatives; however, at the same time, they continue to extensively market their unhealthy products, including regular soda and fruit drinks, as well as sugar-sweetened sports drinks, iced tea, flavored water, and energy drinks and shots.

What do these pledges mean to the overall nutrition quality of sugary drinks and the overall landscape of sugary drink marketing to children and teens?

Objective and transparent data are necessary to evaluate beverage companies’ commitment to reducing young people’s consumption of sugary drinks that can harm their health. Three years after our first report – using the same methods as the original Sugary Drink FACTS – this report quantifies changes in the nutrition of sugary drinks and how they are marketed to children and teens.

Sugary Drink FACTS was developed based on the best available science, in consultation with a steering committee of experts in nutrition, marketing, and public health. To explore the study findings with rankings and search tools, visit the Consumers page. To learn more about the science behind Sugary Drink FACTS, visit the Researchers page and read the full report. 1